Molding joints and universal molding members therefor

ABSTRACT

A molding joint for thin wall paneling and molding members therefor. A retainer is positioned with a base flange behind a paneling member as it is being installed. The retainer has a receiving area formed from upstanding arms to receive and engage the tongue of a T-shaped molding cap which is applied after the work is completed. The two-piece molding combination can be used for all types of panel joints including inside and outside corners, butt joints, joints between walls and ceilings and walls and floors, and joints between the edge of paneling members and the wall surfaces to which they are attached. Tile-tub joints and tile-wall surface joints are also formed with the invention.

United States Patent [1 1 3,667,1 77 Biela [4 June 6, 1972 [54] MOLDINGJOINTS AND UNIVERSAL FORElGN PATENTS 0R APPLlCATlONS MOLDING MENIBERSTHEREFOR Elmer G. Biela, 2332 Rolling Hill, S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich.49506 May 8, 1970 Inventor:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1969 Swanson ..52/2888/1937 1/1940 11/1965 9/1969 12/1969 Primary ExaminerAlfred C. Perham Attomey-.lohn E. McGarry [5 7] ABSTRACT A molding joint for thin wallpaneling and molding members therefor. A retainer is positioned with abase flange behind a paneling member as it is being installed. Theretainer has a receiving area formed from upstanding arms to receive andengage the tongue of a T-shaped molding cap which is applied after thework is completed. The two-piece molding combination can be used for alltypes of panel joints including inside and outside corners, butt joints,joints between walls and ceilings and walls and floors, and jointsbetween the edge of paneling members and the wall surfaces to which theyare attached. Tile-tub joints and tile-wall surface joints are alsoformed with the invention.

1 1 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 6 I972 SHEET 1 OF 3 /& 2

INVENTOR ELMER G BIELA ATT PATENTED 6 2 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR ELMER(5.81ELA 2 M BY Qumran MOLDING JOINTS AND UNIVERSAL MOLDING MEMBERSTHEREFOR This invention relates to molding joints for thin wallpanelingand to molding members therefor.

Prefinished thin wall plywood paneling is used extensively throughoutcommercial as well as residential structures. The plywood paneling makesan inexpensive wall covering which is attractive and rich looking.Occasionally, the wall heighth is greater than the heighth of thepaneling and a second paneling member must be added to the first,leaving a butt joint therebetween. Molding must be added to cover theedges of the paneling for a professional appearance. For this purpose,elongated H-shaped molding members, formed of extrudedpolyvinyl-chloride, have been provided to fit between the panels withone side of the H-shape flush against the wall and other side coveringthe butt joint. These I-I-shaped molding members are installed as thepaneling is installed.

Similarly, inside comers formed by the junction of paneling membersrequire a molding cover. For this purpose, similar molding members,shaped to fit the inside comer have been provided.

Still further, molding members are required for the baseboard, theceiling, the top of the panel below the ceiling as well as for panelsforming outside comers. Six different shapes are required for a completeset of molding joints. Each of these shapes must be properly colored forthe finish color of the paneling. Additionally, each of these shapes isadapted only for a given thickness paneling. Thus, if a supplier had tostock four different color moldings, to fit panel thicknesses ofone-eighth inch, 4 millimeters, three-sixteenth inch and onefourth inch,which are the most common panel thicknesses, he

would be required to stock a total of 96 different pieces in order toproperly supply moldings for each job.

l have now discovered a simple two-piece universal molding constructionfor paneling joints which is less expensive to manufacture, installedquickly and simply, and which decimates the stock required for asupplier.

By various aspects of this invention one or more of the following, orother, objects can be obtained.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved moldingjoint construction for thin wall paneling which is universal inapplication in that the same molding members can be used for all commonjoint configurations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved moldingjoint construction for thin wall paneling in which the cover portion ofthe molding joint is not installed until after all construction and roomdecorating is completed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a morewatertight molding construction in which a space in the molding receivesa thin bead of water resistant adhesive or caulking compound, which willseal the edges of tile molding in bathrooms and the like whereby seepageof water behind the tile panels is prevented.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a jointconstruction between two abutting thin wall paneling members in whichconstruction molding members overlie the facing edges of the wallpaneling.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cap moldingjoint construction for an edge of a thin wall paneling member.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a moldingconstruction for paneling members forming an inside corner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a joint constructionfor paneling members forming an outside comer.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a moldingconstruction for a joint between a thin paneling member and a ceiling ora floor.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a moldingconstruction for thin wall paneling, the molding being adaptable todifferent thickness panelings as well as differen joint configurations.

Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention areapparent to one skilled in the art from a study of this disclosure, thedrawings, and the appended claims.

According to the invention, there is provided a molding construction foruse in covers of paneling joints of varying configurations. The moldingconstruction is formed from two interengaging elongated shapes, one ofwhich has a portion fitting behind the paneling, and the other of whichfits over the edge or edges of the paneling and over the one shape.

The molding construction includes as one shape an elongated retainer ofa rigid resilient material having a flat base portion to be placed flushwith a wall surface. The base portion includes a pair of arms extendingupwardly from the base forming a receiving area therebetween andgripping means on the inner facing edges of the upper portion of thearms. A wide attaching flange is left at one side of the retainer base.

The other shape in the molding construction comprises an elongatedT-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible and resilientsynthetic material. The molding cap has first and second outwardlyextending cover flanges and a depending tongue therebetween, with one ofthe outwardly extending cover flanges being of a width substantiallygreater than the other of the cover flanges. The tongue has a lowerportion of a thickness to fit within the receiving area of the retainerand has means at a lower portion to engage the receiver gripping meansso that the tongue lower portion is securely held by the arm when it iswithin the retainer receiving area.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outside corner wall in aroomillustrating three uses of the universal molding constructionaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the retainer and molding capaccording to the invention, illustrating the shape of the two partswithout external forces;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged, exploded partial view of the interengaging portions of the retainer and molding cap illustrated in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inside comer illustrating another useof the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tub enclosure illustrating twoadditional uses of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 1010 of FIG. 9;and

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional viewtaken along lines ll--l1 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there isshown a floor and a pair of walls 12 and 14 forming an outside comer. Alower paneling sheet 18 and an upper paneling sheet 20 are fixed to wall12. A lower paneling sheet 22 and an upper paneling sheet 28 are fixedto the wall 14. A divider molding 26 is secured between the lowerpaneling sheet 18 and the upper paneling sheet 20, and between the lowerpaneling sheet 22 and the upper paneling sheet 24. An outside comermolding 28 fom1s a junction between the lower paneling sheets 18 and 22,and between the upper paneling sheets 20 and 24. A floor molding 30forms a junction between the floor 16 and the lower paneling sheets 18and 22.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 for a description of thecomponents which make up each of the molding joints. A retainer 32 has aflat base portion 34 with upstanding arms 36 and 38 forming a receivingarea therebetween. The arms extend inwardly at the upper portionsthereof forming inwardly facing serrated edges 40. The upstanding arm 38is positioned to one side of the transverse center of the flat baseportion 34 leaving a wide flange portion 39. The upstanding arm 36 ispositioned near an edge of the flat base portion 34 leaving a short edgeflange 37.

The serrated edges 40 of each upstanding arm 36 and 38 are formed bysloping surfaces 42 and undercut surfaces 44 which are parallel to thebase portion 34.

A molding cap 46 has a wide cover flange 48, a narrow cover flange 50and a depending tongue 64 extending therebetween. The wide cover flange48 and the narrow cover flange 50 are formed so that they curvedownwardly toward the tongue 64. The wide flange 48 has a beaded endportion 52 of thickened material and three angularly disposed outer 50at the end portion thereof. The bottom 60 is parallel to the shortflange 50 at'the end thereof.

The tongue 64 has a serrated lower portion 66 formed by inwardly slopingsurfaces 68 and return surfaces 70 which are perpendicular to thetongue.

The retainer 32 can be formed out of any suitable plastic material.Rigid resilient plastics such .as rigid polyvinylchloride, acrylics, andhigh density polyolefins are preferred. Since the base 32 is alwayshidden from view, it can be made in any color from inexpensive scrapmaterial. The retainer is preferably made as an extrusion.

The molding cap 46 can be formed of any suitable plastic material whichis rigid yet pliable and resilient enough to bend into the shapesillustrated in the drawings. The wide cover flange 48 must be of alength and flexibility so that the end portion'can be bent through anangle of at least 90 as shown in the drawings. A plasticized rigidpolyvinylchloride is suitable for this purpose. Other vinyl polymers andolefin polymers are also suited for this molding cap 46. The molding cap46 is preferably extruded.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates the use of theretainer 32 and cap molding 46 asa divider between two wood panelsheets. As seen in FIG. 3,.the wide flange 39 fits behind the panelingsheet 18 which is secured to the wall through any suitable fasteningmeans. The retainer 32 can be installed behind the paneling sheet 18 asthe paneling sheet is secured to the wall. The narrow flange 37 fitsbehind the paneling sheet 20 which is in turn secured to the wall. Thepaneling sheets 18 and 20 securely hold the retainer 18 in position. Thecap molding 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through the tongue 64 whoseserrated edges 66 engage the serrated edges 40 of the upstanding arms 36and 38. The wide flange 48 is bent upwardly to extend in a directionparallel to the flat base portion 34 of retainer 32 such that the flatsurface 56 of the bead portion 52 contacts the outer surface of theupper paneling sheet 20. The narrow flange 50 is also bent upwardlysomewhat so that it is substantially parallel to the base portion 32whereby the flat surface 60 of bead portion 58 is flush with the outersurface of the lower paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates the retainer and capmolding as used for an outside comer. The lower paneling sheet 22 issecured to the wall so that the side edge thereof extends outwardly ashort distance of the corner. The retainer 32 is positioned with theouter edge of flange 37 in contact with the lower paneling sheet 22. Inthis position, the narrow flange'37 serves as a spacer for the retainer32. A

nail 80 can be driven through the short flange 37 to secure the retainerto the wall. Altemately, or in addition thereto, a nail 81 can be usedto secure flange 39 behind the lower paneling sheet 18. Themolding cap46 is secured to the retainer 32 through the depending tongue 64 whoseserrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainerarms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 of the cap molding 46 is bentslightly outwardly so that the bead portion 52 extends around the outersurface of the paneling sheet 22 with the flat surface 54 flush againstthe outer face. By this construction, visible gaps between the capmolding 46 and the outer surface of paneling sheet 22 are eliminated.The narrow flange 50 is positioned similarly to that illustrated in FIG.2. The narrow flange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that the flatsurface 60 is flush against the outer surface of paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates the use of the capmolding and retainer as a floor molding. The retainer 32 is spacedupwardly slightly from the floor l6 and is secured behind the panelingsheet 18 by nails and/or 78 which extend through the narrow flange 37and the wide flange 39 respectively. The cap molding 46 is secured tothe retainer 32 through the tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66 engagethe serrated surfaces 40 of arms 36 and 38. The wide flange is bentoutwardly so that the flat surface 56 of bead portion 52 is flat withthe floor 16. The narrow flange 50 of the cap molding 46 is bent so thatthe flat surface 60 of bead portion 58 is flush with the outer surfaceof paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which show the use of the moldingconstruction of the invention in an inside comer. In FIG. 7 there isillustrated an inside corner formed by paneling sheets 72 and 74 andhaving an inside corner molding joint 76 therebetween. In FIG. 8, thedetails of the molding joint are illustrated. The retainer 32, issecured in place by fitting the wide flange 39 beneath the panelingsheet '72. The edge of the narrow flange 37 is spaced from the panelingboard 72. The edge of paneling sheet 74 is positioned snugly in thecorner formed between the two walls. If desirable, a nail 78 can be usedto hold the paneling sheet 72 and the retainer 32 in place. The capmolding 46 engages the retainer 32 through depending tongue 64 whoseserrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainerarms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 is bent outwardly so that the flatsurface 56 of bead 52 is flush with the outer surface of the panelingsheet 74. The narrow flange 50 is bent slightly back so that the flatsurface 60 is flush with the outer surface of the paneling sheet 72. 1

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, 10 and l 1 which illustrate twoadditional uses of the molding construction in atub and shower enclosureenvironment. In such environments, water damage behind tile paneling isa serious problem. In FIG. 9

there is shown a tub 82 and tile walls 84 and 86 of, the typeconventionally used in bathroom tubev enclosures. A cap moldingconstruction 88 is provided between the tile 84 and the wall 92 to whichit is attached. A tub molding is provided between the tube and the tilewalls 84 and 86.

The details of the cap molding construction will now be described withreference to FIG. 10. The retainer 32 is secured in place on top of thetile 84 by positioning the long flange 39 behind the tile 84. The tileis secured to the wall by conventional adhesive means. The arm 38 restsagainst the top portion of the tile 84. A waterproof adhesive seal 94 isprovided between the arm 38 and the tile 84. A second waterproofadhesive seal is provided between the upper portion of the retainer 32and the wall 92. In this manner, the joint is completely watertight sothat moisture cannot seep behind the tile 84.

The molding cap 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through tongue 36 whoseserrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainerarms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 follows its normal contour so thatthe flat edge 55 of beaded portion 52 is flush with the outer surface ofwall 92. The narrow flange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that theflat edge 60 of the beaded end portion 58 is flush with the outersurface of the tile wall 84. v

The details of the tub molding 90 will now be described with referenceto FIG. 11. In this molding construction, the retainer can be secured inplace a spaced distance above the tub 82 through a nail 80. The bottomedge of the tile 84 then rests against retainer arm 38 with the wideflange-portion 39 behind the tile 84. Desirably, a waterproof adhesiveseal 98 is provided between the top edge of tub 82 and retainer arm 36.Further, a waterproof adhesive seal 100 is provided between the bottomedge of tile 84 and retainer arm 38. In this manner, a completely waterproof seal is provided between the tub 82 and the tile 84, therebypreventing moisture from seeping behind tile 84. The molding cap 46 issecured to retainer 32 through tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66engage the serrated surfaces 40 of retainer arms 36 and 38. The wideflange 48 is bent outwardly such that the flat surface 56 of the beadedend portion 52 is flush with the top surface of the tub 82. The narrowflange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that the flat surface 60 ofbeaded end portion 58 is flush with the outer surface of tile 84.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention provides auniversal molding construction which is adapted to many different commonjoint configurations as well as to different thickness wall paneling. Inaddition, the molding construction is very well adapted for use in highmoisture areas such as bathrooms wherein water insoluble adhesives areuse advantageously to seal the paneling members from moisture.

It will be appreciated that the universal nature of this moldingconstruction requires but few parts to be stocked. For example, the sameretainer and molding cap can be used for different thickness panelingsuch as one-eighth inch, 4 millimeters, three-sixteenths inch andone-fourth inch, the most common paneling thicknesses. in addition, thesame retainer can be used for all different color paneling since theretainer will always be hidden from view. Thus, the molding supplierneed only stock the retainer and as many modling caps as is required forthe different coloring panels. For example, if the supplier had fourdifferent color moldings, he would have to stock four different colormolding caps and one retainer, a total of five parts. This stockingrequirement is in distinction to the conventional practice whichrequires 96 different parts.

The total construction is quite inexpensive to manufacture. The retainercan be manufactured in any color and even scrap material can be used.The cost of the scrap material is far less than the pure color material.Thus, the cap molding can be made from the more expensive pure materialand the retainer can be made from very inexpensive scrap material.

The invention permits the finished molding cap to be added to the jointat a time after the paneling has been installed and after allconstruction has been completed. Thus, the molding cap is less likely tobe damaged or spattered with paint during the time of construction.

Whereas the invention has been described with reference to an engagingmeans comprising a tongue on the molding cap and arms on the retainer,it is apparent that an equivalent engaging means for most purposes,although not preferred, would comprise a reversal of these parts, i.e.,a pair of arms on the cap molding and a tongue on the retainer.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope ofthe foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A molding construction for use in covers for paneling joints, saidmolding construction comprising:

an elongated retainer of a rigid resilient material having a flat baseportion defining a flat base plane to be placed flush with a first wallsurface, said retainer including upstanding gripping means and a flatplanar flange for securing said retainer to said first wall surface;

an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible andresilient synthetic material, said molding cap having first and secondoutwardly extending cover flanges and a depending fastening meanstherebetween, said gripping means of said retainer engaging saidfastening means of said molding cap to couple said molding cap to saidretainer, said second cover flange being substantially narrower thansaid first cover flange to cover the edge of a panel attached to saidfirst wall surface and abutting said retainer, said second cover flangehaving a width and curvature insufficient to contact said retainer baseplane;

said first cover flange being naturally curved downwardly with the outerend portion thereof in contact with said flat base plane and free fromengagement with said retainer;

said first cover flange being freely flexible with respect to saidretainer and of sufficient width and flexibility so that said endportion of said first cover flange can be bent backwardly through anangle of at least so that said end portion thereof contacts and isbiased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to and forming aninside comer with said base plane;

means on said end portion of said first cover flange to engage saidretainer base plane and means on said first cover flange end portion forengaging said second flat plane and thereby retaining said first coverflange in said backwardly bent position when said end portion is incontact with said second flat plane, whereby said retainer and moldingcap can be universally used for moldings on a flat wall surface as wellas an inside comer.

2. A molding construction according to claim-1 wherein said base planeand second flat plane engaging means comprise a bead of thickenedmaterial having a plurality of angularly disposed flat surfaces, one ofsaid surfaces being parallel to said retainer base plane when said firstcover flange is in contact therewith, and another'of said surfaces beingparallel to said second plane when said end portion of said first coverflange is bent backwardly and in contact with said second plane.

3. A molding construction according to claim 2 wherein said second coverflange further comprises a head of thickened material at an outer endthereof, said bead having a flat surface generally perpendicular to saidtongue but inclined slightly upwardly with respect thereto.

4. A molding construction according to claim 3 wherein one of saidangularly disposed surfaces of said first cover flange bead issubstantially perpendicular to said first cover flange at the outerportion thereof,- another of said angularly disposed surfaces issubstantially parallel to said first cover flange at the outer portionthereof, and still another of said angularly disposed surfaces issubstantially perpendicular to said tongue and at an acute angle to theend of said first cover flange.

5. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said capfastening means and said retainer gripping means have a plurality ofspaced interengaging surfaces so that said fastening means can besecurely held by said retainer in a plurality of spaced positionsrelative to said retainer for use with panelings of differentthicknesses.

6. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said retainerflange comprises a wide attaching flange on one side of said grippingmeans, and further comprising a narrow elongated spacer flange on anopposite side of said gripping means from said wide attaching flange.

7. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said grippingmeans comprises arms which extend inwardly at an upper portion thereofand gripping ridges are formed on the ends of said inwardly extendingarm portions.

8. A molding construction according to claim 1 and further comprisingmeans on said outer end portion of said first cover flange for engaginga third wall surface perpendicular to and forming an outside corner withsaid first wall surface such that said first cover can outer portion canwrap around and be retained by said third wall surface.

9. A molding construction for universal use in covers for panelingjoints, said molding construction comprising:

an elongated retainer of a rigid resilient material having a flat baseportion defining a flat .base plane and to be placed flush with a firstwall surface, said retainer having a flange for securing said retainerto said first wall surface and upstanding gripping means;

an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible andresilient synthetic material, said molding cap having first and secondoutwardly extending cover flanges and depending fastening means, saidfastening means engaging said gripping means to couple said molding capto said retainer, said first cover flange being naturally curveddownwardly and of sufficient width so that the outer end portion thereofis normally in contact with said base plane;

- said first cover flange also being of sufficient width and flexibilityso that said end portion of said first cover flange can be bentbackwardly through an angle of at least 90 so that said end portioncontacts and is biased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to andforming an inside comer with said retainer base plane;

said first cover flange having a bead of thickened material on said endportion thereof, said bead having a first flat surface substantiallyperpendicular to said first cover flange at the outer portion thereof, asecond flat surface substantially parallel to said first cover flange tothe outer portion thereof, and a third flat surface substantiallyperpendicular to said depending fastening means and at an acute angle tothe end of said first cover flange, whereby said first cover flange isadapted for universal use to abut against said retainer base plane orsaid second plane, or to engage a panel member on athird plane formingan outside comer with said retainer base plane.

10. A molding joint construction for an outside comer between the facingedges of first and second relatively thin paneling members, saidpaneling members fixed to first and second planar surfaces respectively,said planar surfaces being perpendicular to each other and forming anoutside comer,

'said second paneling member having an edge extending beyond said comer,said molding joint comprising:

an elongated retainer having a flat base portion in contact with saidfirst planar surface, a portion of said flat base portion extendingbeneath said first paneling member and another portion of said flat baseportion extending to the edge of said first planar surface and abuttingsaid second paneling member; v

an elongated T-shaped molding cap'of a resilient and flexible materialcovering the joint between said wall paneling members, said T-shapedmolding cap including first and second elongated cover flanges;

said first cover flange being of a width substantially greater than saidsecond cover flange and extending over said edge of said second panelingmember, said first cover flange being naturally curved toward saidretainer sufficiently to contact an extension of said first planarsurface and bent back away from said retainer so that said first coverflange is biased against said edge of said second paneling member; meanson the end of, said first cover flange for engaging the face of saidsecond paneling member for retaining said first cover flange over theedge of said second paneling member;

said second cover flange covering the edge of said first paneling memberand being of insufficient length and curvature to contact said firstplanar surface in the absence of said first paneling member; and

interengaging means on said retainer and on said molding cap for firmlycoupling said retainer to said molding cap.

11. A molding joint construction according to claim 10 wherein saidfirst cover flange has a bead formed of a thickened material at the endthereof, said head forming a flat surface, said flat surface issubstantially perpendicular to said first cover flange at said endthereof and said'flat surface is in contact with said face of saidsecond paneling member.

1. A molding construction for use in covers for paneling joints, saidmolding construction comprising: an elongated retainer of a rigidresilient material having a flat base portion defining a flat base planeto be placed flush with a first wall surface, said retainer includingupstanding gripping means and a flat planar flange for securing saidretainer to said first wall surface; an elongated T-shaped molding capintegrally formed of a flexible and resilient synthetic material, saidmolding cap having first and second outwardly extending cover flangesand a depending fastening means therebetween, said gripping means ofsaid retainer engaging said fastening means of said molding cap tocouple said molding cap to said retainer, said second cover flange beingsubstantially narrower than said first cover flange to cover the edge ofa panel attached to said first wall surface and abutting said retainer,said second cover flange having a width and curvature insufficient tocontact said retainer base plane; said first cover flange beingnaturally curved downwardly with the outer end portion thereof incontact with said flat base plane and free from engagement with saidretainer; said first cover flange being freely flexible with respect tosaid retainer and of sufficient width and flexibility so that said endportion of said first cover flange can be bent backwardly through anangle of at least 90* so that said end portion thereof contacts and isbiased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to and forming aninside corner with said base plane; means on said end portion of saidfirst cover flange to engage said retainer base plane and means on saidfirst cover flange end portion for engaging said second flat plane andthereby retaining said first cover flange in said backwardly bentposition when said end portion is in contact with said second flatplane, whereby said retainer and molding cap can be universally used formoldings on a flat wall surface as well as an inside corner.
 2. Amolding construction according to claim 1 wherein said base plane andsecond flat plane engaging means comprise a bead of thickened materialhaving a plurality of angularly disposed flat surfaces, one of saidsurfaces being parallel to said retainer base plane when said firstcover flange is in contact therewith, and another of said surfaces beingparallel to said second plane when said end portion of said first coverflange is bent backwardly and in contact with said second plane.
 3. Amolding construction according to claim 2 Wherein said second coverflange further comprises a bead of thickened material at an outer endthereof, said bead having a flat surface generally perpendicular to saidtongue but inclined slightly upwardly with respect thereto.
 4. A moldingconstruction according to claim 3 wherein one of said angularly disposedsurfaces of said first cover flange bead is substantially perpendicularto said first cover flange at the outer portion thereof, another of saidangularly disposed surfaces is substantially parallel to said firstcover flange at the outer portion thereof, and still another of saidangularly disposed surfaces is substantially perpendicular to saidtongue and at an acute angle to the end of said first cover flange.
 5. Amolding construction according to claim 1 wherein said cap fasteningmeans and said retainer gripping means have a plurality of spacedinterengaging surfaces so that said fastening means can be securely heldby said retainer in a plurality of spaced positions relative to saidretainer for use with panelings of different thicknesses.
 6. A moldingconstruction according to claim 1 wherein said retainer flange comprisesa wide attaching flange on one side of said gripping means, and furthercomprising a narrow elongated spacer flange on an opposite side of saidgripping means from said wide attaching flange.
 7. A moldingconstruction according to claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprisesarms which extend inwardly at an upper portion thereof and grippingridges are formed on the ends of said inwardly extending arm portions.8. A molding construction according to claim 1 and further comprisingmeans on said outer end portion of said first cover flange for engaginga third wall surface perpendicular to and forming an outside corner withsaid first wall surface such that said first cover can outer portion canwrap around and be retained by said third wall surface.
 9. A moldingconstruction for universal use in covers for paneling joints, saidmolding construction comprising: an elongated retainer of a rigidresilient material having a flat base portion defining a flat base planeand to be placed flush with a first wall surface, said retainer having aflange for securing said retainer to said first wall surface andupstanding gripping means; an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrallyformed of a flexible and resilient synthetic material, said molding caphaving first and second outwardly extending cover flanges and dependingfastening means, said fastening means engaging said gripping means tocouple said molding cap to said retainer, said first cover flange beingnaturally curved downwardly and of sufficient width so that the outerend portion thereof is normally in contact with said base plane; saidfirst cover flange also being of sufficient width and flexibility sothat said end portion of said first cover flange can be bent backwardlythrough an angle of at least 90* so that said end portion contacts andis biased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to and forming aninside corner with said retainer base plane; said first cover flangehaving a bead of thickened material on said end portion thereof, saidbead having a first flat surface substantially perpendicular to saidfirst cover flange at the outer portion thereof, a second flat surfacesubstantially parallel to said first cover flange to the outer portionthereof, and a third flat surface substantially perpendicular to saiddepending fastening means and at an acute angle to the end of said firstcover flange, whereby said first cover flange is adapted for universaluse to abut against said retainer base plane or said second plane, or toengage a panel member on a third plane forming an outside corner withsaid retainer base plane.
 10. A molding joint construction for anoutside corner between the facing edges of first and second relativelythin paneling members, said paneling members fixed to first and secondplaNar surfaces respectively, said planar surfaces being perpendicularto each other and forming an outside corner, said second paneling memberhaving an edge extending beyond said corner, said molding jointcomprising: an elongated retainer having a flat base portion in contactwith said first planar surface, a portion of said flat base portionextending beneath said first paneling member and another portion of saidflat base portion extending to the edge of said first planar surface andabutting said second paneling member; an elongated T-shaped molding capof a resilient and flexible material covering the joint between saidwall paneling members, said T-shaped molding cap including first andsecond elongated cover flanges; said first cover flange being of a widthsubstantially greater than said second cover flange and extending oversaid edge of said second paneling member, said first cover flange beingnaturally curved toward said retainer sufficiently to contact anextension of said first planar surface and bent back away from saidretainer so that said first cover flange is biased against said edge ofsaid second paneling member; means on the end of said first cover flangefor engaging the face of said second paneling member for retaining saidfirst cover flange over the edge of said second paneling member; saidsecond cover flange covering the edge of said first paneling member andbeing of insufficient length and curvature to contact said first planarsurface in the absence of said first paneling member; and interengagingmeans on said retainer and on said molding cap for firmly coupling saidretainer to said molding cap.
 11. A molding joint construction accordingto claim 10 wherein said first cover flange has a bead formed of athickened material at the end thereof, said bead forming a flat surface,said flat surface is substantially perpendicular to said first coverflange at said end thereof and said flat surface is in contact with saidface of said second paneling member.